Former Pierz Pioneer, Kolton Eischens, searched and found success with the St. Cloud State Huskies.
Eischens grew up watching his uncles and many of his cousins wrestle. When he was in second grade he joined his first wrestling team and knew he loved it.
Eischens competed for the Pierz Pioneers wrestling team until he graduated in 2016. During his time as a Pioneer, he was a three-time Minnesota State High School League State 1A wrestling medalist, four-time state qualifier and earned a Tri-Athlete Award from the Pierz Letterclub
Eischens marked a 195-35 record during his high school career with 97 wins by fall.
Even as a young wrestler, St. Cloud State was always hot on Eischens trail.
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"I wanted to recruit Kolton immediately out of high school," said SCSU head coach Steve Costanzo, "I watched his matches and had continuous phone interviews with him, but he wasn't sure he was interested in a collegiate wrestling career."
After graduating in May of 2016, Eischens made the tough decision to attend Itasca Community College.
"At Isasca, I didn't feel the need to work hard," Eischens said. "I fell into a lifestyle that I never had lived before."
After Eischen's first year at Itasca, he knew he needed a change.
His role model, former Pioneers and Huskies wrestling standout, Clint Poster, encouraged him to pursue St. Cloud State.
"Clint told me that if I was serious about wrestling, SCSU was the only place to go," Eischens said. "I got re-contacted with coach Steve and put my nose to the grindstone to start my second year of college at St. Cloud."
Said Costanzo: "When Kolton reached out to me, of course, I was thrilled to give him a spot on our roster. He lives a champion lifestyle. Kolton is a great student in the classroom and a great athlete on the mat."
Eischens is studying Construction Management at St. Cloud State.
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"I chose my major because I work for my uncle's company Girtz Concrete out of Little Falls, and enjoy construction," Eischens said.
After graduation, Eischens plans to move out west or to Alaska, find a good job and be able to enjoy hunting and fishing on his personal time.
Eischens finished his sophomore season with a 32-7 record. Now a junior, he's sporting a 20-1 record.
Eischens said his success comes from hard work and determination. After high school, he had to work hard to transform into a collegiate wrestler.
"I knew that if I wanted to wrestle in college I had to work on my footwork," said Eischens, "The biggest difference from high school wrestling to college wrestling is being able to practice against stronger competitors. That has made me a better wrestler."
The Huskies are defending national champions and are currently ranked No. 1 in the NCAA DII polls with 87 points. St. Cloud State ended the regular season with an undefeated record and advanced to the NCAA DII Championships March 8-9, in Cleveland.
"I would love to be able to walk through the tunnel to receive another national championship trophy," Eischens said. "All I can do is my best."
